LibGuides: FIling a Lawsuit in Ohio: The Complaint

Book

Anderson's Ohio Civil Practice
Call Number: KFO 530 .A8
Includes forms for complaint pleadings, which include the elements of the action. Also available as an ebook from the Library's website, for Central Ohio attorneys with a Franklin County Law Library Card. Also available on Lexis on the Franklin County Law Library's public computers.

Complaint - Court Caption - Common Pleas WORD
Certificate of Service PDF
Motion - Default Judgment PDF
If the the defendant does not file an answer, the plaintiff can file a motion for default judgment.
Answer PDF
The defendant has 28 days to file an answer.

SB 237 (2024)
Effective in March 2025, Ohio will have a Anti-Slapp statute. This means that certain lawsuits that target people for their speech, will face greater scrutiny.
New Ohio law seeks to stop damage from meritless SLAPP suits and protect speech
Statehouse House News Bureau 1/13/25

Ohio litigation is governed by the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.

Oh. Rule of Civ. Proc. 7
Sets out requirement of complaint and the defendant's answer.
Oh. Rule of Civ. Proc. 10
Outlines the form requirements for pleadings, including complaints.

Franklin County Municipal Court Local Rule 11 -Small Claims Practice
Answers are permitted, but not required in Franklin County Small Claims Court
Franklin County Administrative Order regarding Certified Mail Post Pandemic
Administrative Order 04-2022 directs the Clerk to docket certified mail returns marked C-19 or something similar as unsuccessful certified mail service when the return indicates delivery on or after April 1, 2022 (the date USPS eliminated the C-19 practice), and directs that motions for default judgment be denied for lack of service when a certified mail return marked C-19 or something similar indicates delivery on or after April 1, 2022, and service has not otherwise been achieved under the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.